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Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the Managing Director of Environmental and Engineering
Services and City Engineer, the following actions be taken with respect to
the proposed new “value-based” funding model for water and wastewater
services:
a)
the
new funding model for water and wastewater services, which is more
representative of the fixed costs related to fire protection, billing and
infrastructure renewal than the existing model, BE APPROVED; it being
noted that the new model will incorporate the following:
i)
a low
income crisis support, crisis prevention and customer assistance fund
(Schedule B1);
ii)
a
water conservation rebate program (Schedule B2), utilizing surplus funds from
the low income crisis support, crisis prevention and customer assistance
fund, noted in i), above;
iii)
a
Fire Protection charge for all customers (Schedule B4);
iv)
an
increase in the construction water charge (Schedule B5); and
b)
subject
to the approval of a), above, the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to
take the necessary steps to arrange for a public participation meeting at the
Civic Works Committee meeting on December 3, 2012, for the purpose of
receiving public input on draft proposed by-laws to amend By-law No. WM-7 “A
by-law to provide for the setting of rates and charges for water supply in
the City of London” and By-law No. WM 26 “A by-law to establish the Schedule
of Sewer System Fees and Charges.”, in order to implement changes to the
relevant rates, fees and charges, effective March 1, 2013, based upon the
new “value-based” funding model for water and wastewater services.
it being noted that the Civic Works
Committee heard the attached presentation from the Managing Director,
Environmental and Engineering Services and City Engineer, with respect to
this matter;
it being pointed out that at the public
participation meeting associated with this matter, the following individuals
made an oral submission in connection therewith:
- D. McBurney, 4-466 South Street – expressing
thanks to the staff for all the work done; indicating that .25 cents is
a good insurance policy and urging the Committee to pass the
recommendation.
- J. Soares, 31 Portsmouth Road – enquiring
about the other surcharges such as for sewer and storm, and asking what
are the projections for increases for infrastructure and industry, and
has the City projected in the future of the 30%; noting that many people
live alone and they would be hit because of the water use, living alone
but paying a higher bill; further asking why businesses are not
contributing.
- J. Soares, Rockingham Court –
indicating that she lives on her own and expressing concern that the
rates could increase; and asking how long in the future will she be
paying.
- G. Brown, 59 Ridout Street, Unit 59A –
indicating that we have progressive pricing and that is something that
he has pushed; noting that ideally we do not want a fixed rate, and that
if you want to pour drinking water on your lawn then you will have to
pay for it; further indicating that this is an excellent plan. (2012-F12-00)
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